Kangaroo's Great Escape Ends After Three-Day Search in Wisconsin
A 16-month-old kangaroo named Chesney made a daring escape from a petting zoo in Wisconsin, spending three days on the lam after leaping an eight-foot fence. The marsupial's adventure sparked a community-wide search that culminated in a happy reunion over the weekend.
The Great Escape and Community Response
The unprecedented escape occurred at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, approximately 160 miles northwest of Milwaukee. According to keeper Debbie Marland, stray dogs rushed the enclosure and spooked Chesney, prompting the kangaroo to scale the formidable barrier and disappear into the surrounding area.
Marland and friends immediately launched a search effort, trekking across town and chasing numerous reported sightings. They even rented heat-seeking drones to help track the high-jumping adventurer's movements. "I was putting on about 37,000 steps per day looking for him," Marland said. "I haven't done so much exercise in a very long time."
The Search Intensifies
Despite staying within a three-mile radius of the farm, Chesney proved elusive to his pursuers. Friday proved particularly challenging, with no sightings all day raising concerns that he might have wandered into unfamiliar territory. That evening, however, searchers discovered him nestled under a tree in a wooded area.
When a group surrounded him, Chesney demonstrated his impressive speed—capable of reaching 20 mph—and managed to elude capture once more. Marland returned Saturday morning with Chesney's favorite treats and materials carrying familiar scents, joined by other searchers.
A Gentle Reunion
Just as they were preparing to pack up, the long-eared kangaroo with oversized back legs approached. Stacy Brereton, who helps at the farm regularly, noted Chesney's calm demeanor. "He had a very calm attitude when he walked up, obviously you could tell he wasn't in fight-or-flight mode," Brereton said.
Brereton maintained a gentle approach, sitting calmly and allowing the 40-pound animal to come to her. "I do believe he heard our comforting voices, he smelled the familiar smells of home and it just made him feel safe," she explained, adding, "I'm just glad he loves me as much as I love him."
Aftermath and Celebrity Status
Chesney, named after country music star Kenny Chesney along with his roommate Kenny, is one of 25 animals at Sunshine Farm. The facility typically opens Fridays through Sundays from mid-May through mid-November, offering tours where visitors can interact with various animals including horses, sheep, alpacas, Kunekune pigs, Highland cows, and a Bactrian camel.
Marland praised the community's response, noting that "the community really did come together" for the kangaroo, who has now achieved local celebrity status. A Sunshine Farm fan has even written a children's book about Chesney's adventures, which Marland hopes to publish to recoup some search costs.
Though hungry and tired after his ordeal, Chesney was otherwise healthy and will receive a veterinary checkup shortly. Kenny, who shares Marland's house with his marsupial companion, was delighted to be reunited. To prevent future escapes, Marland plans to add a mesh top over the kangaroo enclosure, ensuring no more high-jumping hijinks can occur.
